Chai Spiced Streusel Apple Pie
Most of you know by now how much I LOVE cookies—I did write a whole cookbook about them after all. But it might come as a surprise that I love pies almost as much as I love cookies. I’m working on a whole new pie-only cookbook right now, and I just couldn’t wait to share one of the pie recipes with you!
One of my favorite things about working on a new cookbook is how I get to preserve all my family recipes—from techniques my grandmothers taught me to treats my kids loved growing up. This Chai Spiced Streusel Apple Pie recipe is one of my favorite fall desserts. I hope you love it too!
Fall Flavor Spotlight: How to Make the Perfect Chai Spice Mix
If you’ve never had a Dutch apple pie, you are missing out. If you haven’t tried it before, you might be wondering, what’s a Dutch apple pie? It’s basically a classic pie with a topping—usually something like apple crisp, but streusel makes a delicious topper too. My chai spice streusel will definitely help you elevate your apple pie to a new level.
Not only is the streusel homemade, but so is the chai spice mixture inside it. Finding the perfect blend of chai spices can be a challenge, so I’m sharing my own homemade chai spice mix recipe with you. It makes a great addition to this fragrant, autumn-spiced streusel, but it also makes one darn good chai latte! There are two different ways to make the spice blend: Start with ground spices or go all out and grind them yourself! This dry mix of spices will keep all winter long so you can enjoy it in tons of different recipes!
Flavored Whipped Cream is the Perfect Way to Finish an Apple Streusel Pie
Have you ever added flavorings to your homemade whipped cream before? In addition to sprinkling some in the streusel, I also put some chai spice in the whipped cream I use to top this pie… It’s arguably the pièce de résistance.
And by the way, you don’t have to stop at apple pie: Try a dollop of this delicious topping with my Apple Slab Pie or alongside Nerina’s Pumpkin Bars. It’s great with hot drinks like hot chocolate, tea, and coffee… or even on top of an after-dinner cocktail! Here are some of my recommendations.
Chai Spiced Streusel Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup (4 ounces) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
- 8 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1½ teaspoons Mary’s Homemade Chai Spice Mix
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup whole oats (not instant)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoons Mary’s Homemade Chai Spice Mix
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 1 ½ cups chilled heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Mary’s Homemade Chai Spice Mix
Instructions
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll the dough out into an 11-inch round. Spray a 9-inch pie pan with nonstick cooking spray and transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Using kitchen scissors, trim the edge of the dough, leaving a ¾-inch overhang. Crimp or flute the side of the dough and refrigerate or freeze for 30 minutes while preparing the filling and streusel topping.
- In a large sauté pan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the sliced apples and simmer on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the apples are soft. Turn off the heat and add the spices, tossing the apples gently to coat. Transfer the apples to a bowl to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a sauté pan, melt the ½ cup butter. Stir in the flour to form a paste. Add the water and both kinds of sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer for several minutes to thicken.
- Combine all the ingredients for the streusel either in a food processor or in a mixing bowl. If using a food processor, pulse to combine. If using a mixing bowl, just use your fingers to work the streusel ingredients together.
- Place the cooled apples into the pastry-lined pie pan. Pour the sugar and butter mixture over the apples being careful not to let it run over the side of the pan. If necessary, reheat the sugar and butter mixture on low to loosen it up. I like to let the filling settle for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.
- Combine the egg and cream. Brush the crust side lightly with the egg wash.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, top the pie evenly with the streusel mixture.
- Bake for an additional 40 to 50 minutes or until the streusel is nicely browned. The pie filling may bubble slightly over the rim, but that’s okay! The overflow will land on the baking sheet… good thing you’re so well-prepared!
- Remove the pie from the oven and let cool for 1 hour on a wire rack.
- While your pie cools, you can make the chai spiced whipped cream. Pour the cream into the chilled bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whip attachment, whip the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Reduce the speed to medium and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and chai spices. Whip until medium peaks form. Serve generously with your apple pie!